The greatest gift from Sicily

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A non-fiction epic of a courageous single mother who emigrated from Sicily to fulfill her dreams of living in a land of freedom and opportunity - America. A personal and historical account of the pains, joy and adventure experienced by this mother from the time she left Sicily in 1905 until her death in America in 1950. Memories of influential people, famous places, family traditions and authentic southern Italian foods and recipes, growing up in an Italian Paradise called Little Italy (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Larimer Avenue) in the early 1900's. A book to be enjoyed by anyone who had an ancestor who emigrated from Europe in the early 1900's.

Author John C.Zappia was born 1938 in Pittsburgh (East Liberty), Pennsylvania. Grew up in North Hills (Shaler Township), Pennsylvania. Attended Saint Anne Elementary School in Millvale, Pa. Graduated from Shaler High School, Glenshaw, Pa. in 1956. Served in U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959. Married Nancy Leach from Monongahela, Pa. in 1961. Current family: Children- Tammy, Jeff, Dana, Jay. Grandchildren: Timothy, Alex, Rana, Christa, Adam, Gia. Great Grandchildren: Haleigh, Hannah, Hayden, Logan. Graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 1976 with BS degree in Business Administration. Attended University of Wisconsin, Madison, Graduate School of Banking - Graduated in 1985. Worked at PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, Pa. for 38 years. Retired in 1998 as Vice President of Operations Services. Currently residing in Evans City, Pa. with wife, Nancy. Along with wife, Nancy, served with Global Volunteers in teaching conversational English in Ostuni, Italy (2004) and Xian, China (2006). Wrote two books about experiences in Italy and China - Teaching In Italy-Living a Dream and Teaching and Touring in China.